French is recognised as the epitome of fine-dining, but there is also much to appreciate about the more casual side of Gallic cuisine, from a well-constructed croque-monsieur to a crepe dusted with sugar and lemon.
Which French restaurants rule the roost in Hong Kong? Whether you’re looking for ritzy haute cuisine or more laid-back bistro fare, we’ve got you covered with our top list of the premier French restaurants in the city.
The best French restaurants in Hong Kong
Racines
We recently waxed lyrical about the wonders of Racines, the newly Michelin-starred fine-casual Sheung Wan restaurant by chef duo (and best mates) Adrien Castillo and Romain Dupeyre (who also scooped our Foodie Forks 2024 Chef of the Year award). Come for the cosy and inviting vibe, the chefs’ warm banter with each other and their patrons, and the sensational six-course tasting menu (HKD1,688 pp), which changes every few months but is always an innovative tribute to the seasonal terroir of southern France. The plump Brittany pigeon (+HKD208) is a deserving signature at Racines, so don’t think twice before opting for this robust main course.
Racines, G/F, 22 Upper Station Street, Sheung Wan, WhatsApp 5742 6539, book here
Caprice
Caprice stands tall amongst the very best French restaurants in the world, crowned with three Michelin stars for the past five years. Chef de cuisine Guillaume Galliot works his magic in the kitchen, presenting immaculate classic French dishes interjected with his own creative flair. The eight-course Menu Connaisseur (HKD3,988 pp) is the ultimate in haute cuisine, with an eye-watering price tag to match. The menu kicks off with a bang with the signature Alaskan king crab crustacean jelly, Gillardeau oyster, and Kaviari Osciètre Gros Grains caviar and includes a selection of top-notch fromage from Caprice’s legendary cheese cellar.
Caprice, 6/F, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, 3196 8882, book here
ÉPURE
ÉPURE, another elegant Michelin recipient, continues to wow us with young Singaporean chef Aven Lau’s creativity and technical expertise. The chef delivers unpretentious fine-dining French dishes with distinct Japanese touches. The eight-course seasonal tasting dinner (HKD1,688 pp) is updated frequently, but one dish that usually takes centre stage is the roast three-yellow chicken (+HKD298). It takes two days of meticulous preparation of the local cook to yield the pinnacle of juicy crispiness, featuring meat (both white and dark) that cuts like butter and a shimmering, golden skin.
ÉPURE, Shop 403, 4/F, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3185 8338, WhatsApp 5545 2133, book here
Feuille
Brought to Hong Kong in mid-2023, plant-focused fine-diner Feuille is a natural extension of chef David Toutain’s eco-friendly two-starred restaurant in Paris. Incredibly, Feuille was awarded a Michelin star and Michelin Green Star within a year of its debut. Overseen on the daily by executive chef Joris Rousseau, Feuille’s root-to-shoot tasting menu is a triumph and unlike anything we’ve ever experienced in Hong Kong. The Menu Terroir (HKD1,599 pp) utilises every part of the fruit and veg showcased, with around 80 percent of the produce sourced in Hong Kong from small purveyors.
Feuille, 5/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central, 2881 1848, book here
Clarence
This is renowned chef Olivier Elzer’s passion project. The chef opened Clarence around two years ago with an East-meets-West culinary philosophy and a desire to make French fine-dining lighter and more approachable, even offering a low-carb keto menu catering to health-conscious diners. If calorie-counting isn’t your thing, we recommend curating and customising your own dinner menu (HKD698 pp) of two cold starters, two hot starters, a main, and dessert – a bargain in terms of its quality ingredients and finesse. The Dover sole with steamed potato and tartare sauce is classic French cuisine personified.
Clarence, 25/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, 3568 1397, book here
Louise
Nearing its half-decade anniversary, Michelin-starred Louise is the brainchild of chef Julien Royer, whose three-starred Odette in Singapore is always near the top of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Louise’s two-storey space is stunning, located in a heritage building with a bright, inviting tropical-chic design. Louise continues to go from strength to strength, taking home our Foodie Forks 2024 Best French Restaurant award. Upstairs in the Dining Room, the five-course tasting menu (HKD1,488 pp) by new executive chef Loïc Portalier is a delight. This menu spotlights several of chef Loïc’s newly introduced dishes, including smoked Basque sardine, caramelised onion tart, and Fabien D’eneour Brittany pigeon.
Louise, G/F, JPC, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, 2866 0300, WhatsApp 5722 3269, book here
BELON
The best of the best ingredients headline in BELON’s Michelin-starred contemporary dishes, crafted by chef Jacob Zuidervliet. Driven by the seasons, the beautifully executed and presented seven-course Selection du Chef menu (HKD1,688 pp) is refined yet approachable. For dessert, the à-la-carte gâteau Basque with sherry and foie gras (HKD258) has become a signature of chef Jacob. The buttery base is a cross between cake and shortbread, and it’s topped with velvety foie gras torchon. The crème anglaise, flavoured with rich and raisiny Pedro Ximénez sherry, is the literal cherry on top of this sweet-meets-savoury masterpiece.
BELON, 1/F, 1–5 Elgin Street, Soho, Central, 2152 2872, book here
BOUILLON Bistro Parisien
With BOUILLON, our round-up moves into more affordable dining territory. This charming Sheung Wan bistro serves up traditional French dishes made with organic and sustainable ingredients, complemented by a Gallic wine list focused on organic, sustainable, and family-owned wineries. Menu highlights include the escargots à la bourguignonne (HKD128) swimming in garlic, parsley, and butter, grilled bone marrow (HKD178), duck confit (HKD268), and crème brûlée (HKD108) – all hearty, comforting, and très délicieux.
BOUILLON Bistro Parisien, G/F, 6 Pound Lane, Sheung Wan, 2886 0056, book here
Bistro Breton
Bistro Breton is as authentic as it gets in Hong Kong. The bistro’s founder, Philippe Ricard, hails from Brittany, and the extensive menu is focused on fish and seafood from the Breton coast. To go all out, order Le Belem (HKD1,988), a French seafood sharing tower loaded with oysters, tiger prawns, whelks, clams, blue lobster, crayfish, and crab remoulade. Other dishes that get our under-the-sea seal of approval include the Breton bouillabaisse (HKD238) and mussels marinière (HKD258). The crepe les Voiles de Saint-Tropez (HKD98) with caramelised apple, salted butter caramel, and vanilla ice cream is a must-order for dessert. Bistro Breton is sibling to another recommended French eatery, La Crêperie.
Bistro Breton, Shop 3, G/F, Bohemian House, 321 Des Voeux Road West, Sai Ying Pun, 3489 0959, WhatsApp 5688 4383, book here
La Brasserie
A sophisticated yet relaxed French dining affair, La Brasserie instantly transports diners to Paris with its pressed white tablecloths, wicker chairs, and black-and-white tiled floor. We keep coming back for the restaurant’s well-executed French classics, from the lobster bisque (HKD168), to the grass-fed beef tartare (HKD158), to the homemade pâté en croute (HKD158), to the Josper-grilled côte de boeuf (HKD1,088) for sharing. To end your meal, the crepes Suzette au gueridon (HKD288), prepared tableside with plenty of flambéed Grand Mariner, is sweet French perfection. You can also take your pick from the exquisite pastries proffered at the glass-fronted counter.
La Brasserie, G/F, 29 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, 2506 0990, WhatsApp 5200 3915, book here
Brasserie on the Eighth
Making a triumphant return to Conrad Hong Kong after a three-year absence, refreshed Brasserie on the Eighth presents classic French cuisine in a sophisticated setting. Signature plates that transport us straight to the City of Lights include the baked Burgundy escargots (HKD238), onion soup (HKD160), French Charolais tenderloin (HKD820), and soufflé (HKD160). The four-course degustation dinner (HKD688 pp) is a fine French option, delivering beaucoup bang for your buck.
Brasserie on the Eighth, 8/F, Conrad Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2822 8803, book here
La Petite Maison (LPM)
The Hong Kong Kong outpost of global Mediterranean restaurant giant La Petite Maison has also recently reopened following a summer revamp. It’s difficult to replicate LPM’s laid-back yet chic ambience inspired by the French Riviera, which keeps us coming back again and again. The creative menu takes its cue from the light, refreshing flavours of the Med, particularly seafood – think warm prawns with olive oil and and lemon (HKD248), whole sea bream baked with Provençal herbs (HKD598), and marinated lamb cutlets with olives, aubergine caviar, and pine nuts (HKD468).
La Petite Maison (LPM), Shop 1, 1/F, H Queen’s, 23–29 Stanley Street, Central, 2887 1113, book here
L’atlantis
A true hidden gem on the Gold Coast, L’atlantis is located right next door to the Gold Coast Hotel in an airy and inviting space with high ceilings and big windows looking out to the al-fresco terrace and beachfront – perfect for a romantic sunset dinner. The restaurant’s French fare is consistently high quality and priced reasonably. The set lunch is especially good value, inclusive of a house salad, soup of the day, and coffee or tea. Main course options range from stir-fried angel hair with black truffle, asparagus, courgette, and mushroom (HKD88) to grilled New Zealand lamb chop with thyme gravy (HKD198).
L’atlantis, Golden Beach, Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun, 2618 9866, book here
